Out of date cans of beans, cheapest cuts of meat,
presents bought one can ill afford, but pressure
to give is too strong to resist; besides it is nice to
see a child smile. A packet of cigarettes to uncle
Tom, a silk handkerchief to his wife, she cries a lot,
nicely wrapped in coloured paper. Austerity this
Christmas, so what! Next year´s will be better, we
are sure, even if the economic forecast is dismal,
the Eve will be familiar and cozy as usual.
